Pascrell Slams Ruling on Healthcare Subsidy

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), a member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement on today’s conflicting rulings issued by two federal appeals court panels on whether the government could subsidize health insurance premiums for people in three dozen states that use the federal insurance exchange established through the Affordable Care Act:

“We know that Governor Christie’s original decision not to set up a state exchange forfeits potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in federal implementation aid. Now, thanks to a couple of conservative, activist judges, the 84% of New Jerseyans who received an average tax credit of $317 to purchase insurance on our federal exchange could lose this critical assistance. The question is, if this ruling stands, will Governor Christie continue to refuse to set up a state exchange and stand with the tea party ideologues who will do anything to deny New Jerseyans comprehensive affordable health coverage?

“Seventy eight percent of Americans say they are satisfied with their Obamacare coverage. I am confident that the decision by these rogue judges will ultimately be overturned, much as the Fourth Circuit court ruled this afternoon. In the meantime, the residents of New Jersey shouldn’t have to live with the uncertainty that this reckless decision will impact their health and well-being. Governor Christie can put all those fears to rest by pledging to set up a state exchange today.”